Aviation Policy for the Next 30 Years: Airport Development in the UK
– An Opportunity to Have Your Say

The Department for Transport has published consultation documents on airport development in the South East, the South West, the Midlands, the North of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is part of a nationwide exercise covering the whole of the UK that is intended to help the government develop its aviation policy for the whole of the UK up to the year 2030.

Following the consultation, the Government will be publishing a new Air Transport White Paper that will provide a policy framework for the long term future of both aviation and airports in the UK.
While the majority of the questions posed have little relevance to GA, it is important that the following message is registered with every reply.
‘General Aviation is an essential component of the aviation sector and its aerodromes are a key part of the national transport infrastructure. Hence for GA to function effectively and contribute to aviation development in the UK and Europe, any new airport developments must take account of the needs of General Aviation. Therefore it is essential that:
1. there is provision for GA at all new and developed locations to facilitate a co-ordinated air transport system for the country;
2. Any airspace changes resulting from airport developments must accommodate GA. Some of the proposals for airport development contained in the consultation documents would lead to serious reductions in uncontrolled airspace.

For each area of the UK there is a main consultation document, a summary and a questionnaire. Copies of the consultation documents can be viewed and downloaded — if you have the patience — from the Department for Transport website www.airconsult.gov.uk or obtained by phoning the inquiry line on 0845 100 5554.

Other supporting technical documents covering all study areas have also been made publicly available. Details of how to obtain these can be found in the consultation documents as well as on the website.

If you wish to make your own input to the consultation process don’t delay. Do obtain the documents that interest you as soon as possible as the deadline for the receipt of comments on this very important stage in the evolution of aviation in this century is 30 November 2002.

GAAC
September 2002

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